Recently, people keep asking me, “Old Zhou, now that I’ve bought Hetian jade, how exactly should I take care of it? Does it get more lustrous the more you handle it?” Honestly, when I hear these questions, I can’t help but laugh, haha. Not laughing at you, but at myself because I went through the same phase years ago. Let me tell you, Hetian jade may seem hard, but it’s actually quite delicate. If you’re not careful, the precious piece you painstakingly bought at a high price could end up ruined.

When I first started in this business, I knew nothing and just followed what others said about “handling jade” to make it shiny and smooth. I had a small pendant worth about three or four thousand yuan at the time, thought it was great, wore it every day, and even rubbed it with oil, thinking I was “nourishing” it. In the end, it became greasy, attracted dust, and got filthy, losing all its jade qualities. Later, an experienced craftsman told me, “Xiao Zhou, are you handling jade or making pancakes?” That’s when I realized I was doing it all wrong. So today, I want to share with you how to properly care for Hetian jade—what you can do and what you absolutely shouldn’t!

Daily Wearing? Remember These Points!

If you ask me, daily wearing is actually one of the best ways to care for Hetian jade. Why? Because Hetian jade loves the oils and warmth of the human body. When you wear it, it slowly absorbs your skin’s oils, becoming more lustrous and smooth over time. This is the true meaning of “people nurture jade, jade nurtures people.” But there are some nuances—you can’t just wear it and think everything will be fine.


    • Watch out for bumps and knocks! This is the most important point, no exceptions! Although Hetian jade has decent hardness, it can’t withstand being dropped on concrete floors. I had an old client who bought a seed jade bracelet for over 200,000 yuan a few years ago. He accidentally dropped it in the kitchen, and a small piece chipped off. He was heartbroken—I felt it too just watching. So when you’re doing chores, exercising, or going to crowded places, it’s best to take off your jade or wear it under your clothes.

    • Keep it away from “dirt.” What counts as dirt? Kitchen grease, shower gels, soaps, cosmetics, perfumes—all of these! If these substances stick to the jade for a long time, they can corrode its surface, causing it to lose luster and become dull. Especially chemical substances, some can even alter the jade’s structure. Last year, I saw a beautiful white jade pendant at the market whose owner often wore it while showering. The surface became white and rough—such a pity.

    • In summer, sweat more; in winter, keep it warm. Sweating in summer is good, but sweat contains salt, so you need to wipe it off promptly. Otherwise, sweat stains can discolor the jade. In winter, northern homes are warm, but southern areas are cold. If you go from a warm room to a cold place, the jade experiences drastic temperature changes, which might damage its quality. Although rare, it’s better to avoid sudden temperature shifts. Try to keep it at a stable temperature and don’t let it get too hot or cold suddenly.

Cleaning and Storage? Not That Complicated, Just Don’t Mess It Up!

Many people get nervous when it comes to cleaning, afraid of damaging their jade. Actually, it’s not that complicated, but you must be careful.

How to Give Your Treasure a Bath?

When cleaning, remember three words: warm, gentle, clean.



    • Warm water: Use warm water to clean it. Never use hot water, and avoid cold water. Warm water dissolves surface oils and dust better.

    • Soft cloth/soft brush: Use a clean soft cloth to wipe, or a soft-bristled baby toothbrush to gently brush it. Remember, gently brush, don’t scrub hard! I’ve seen people use steel wool—this truly destroys good jade!

    • Neutral detergent: If it’s really dirty, add a tiny bit of neutral hand soap or mild detergent. Remember, use very little and rinse thoroughly with no residue! After washing, dry it with a clean soft cloth and let it air dry naturally.

Let me tell you a story: a friend bought a very expensive mutton fat jade piece worth about 60,000 to 70,000 yuan. He thought it wasn’t shiny enough, so he soaked it in dishwashing liquid and scrubbed hard. The surface got scratched and lost all its luster. This kind of jade naturally has an oily quality; if you over-clean it and wash away its natural oils, it becomes dry and dull!

Storage? Give It a Stable “Home”

If you’re not wearing it or need to store it for a long time, there are some tips.



    • Store separately: Wrap it in a soft cloth and place it in a separate box or pouch. Never mix it with other jewelry, especially metal pieces, to avoid scratches from rubbing.

    • Avoid direct sunlight: UV rays in sunlight can affect the texture and color of Hetian jade, causing it to dry out and fade over time. So keep it in a cool, dry, shaded place.

    • Regular checks: Even if you don’t wear it, take it out every now and then, wipe it with a soft cloth, and let it breathe. Jade is alive—you can’t just throw it away and forget about it.

Don’t Fall into These Traps! They Will Ruin Your Jade!

Over the years, I’ve seen too many cases where improper care ruined beautiful jade. Some due to ignorance, some due to overconfidence, but the result is always heartbreaking.

When I first started, a client bought a white jade Guanyin statue for about 80,000 to 90,000 yuan. He heard that jade needs “oil nourishment,” so he applied cooking oil on it. Soon, the jade turned yellow and greasy, and no matter how he washed it, it wouldn’t come off. Jade naturally exudes oil; adding external oil is unnecessary and even harmful. Cooking oil oxidizes and deteriorates over time, directly damaging the jade.

So remember, never do these things!



    • Never use toothpaste, sandpaper, or any abrasives to polish jade. Jade is harder than glass but still afraid of friction. Toothpaste contains abrasive particles; using it is like sanding off the jade’s surface, losing its luster.

    • Never use ultrasonic cleaners! Many think ultrasonic cleaners can clean everything, but that’s wrong! The vibrations can damage the internal structure of Hetian jade, especially if it has cracks or unstable internal features. I had a friend who used an ultrasonic cleaner on his bracelet and found several fine cracks afterward. It was heartbreaking!

    • Never let jade contact chemicals, including strong acids or bases. Bleach, nail polish, perfume, hairspray—all must stay far away from your jade. These chemicals corrode the surface and can alter its color and texture.

    • Never expose jade to high heat or direct sunlight for long periods. Prolonged heat or sun exposure causes jade to lose moisture, become dry, and even crack. Imagine a person being baked under the sun for a long time—skin problems are inevitable, so is jade damage.

In short, caring for Hetian jade means “treat it gently, keep it clean, and avoid damage.” Don’t look for shortcuts or believe in gimmicks. Treat it well, and it will reward you.

Having worked in this field for many years, my biggest takeaway is that this industry is deep but fascinating. A good piece of jade, if well cared for, can accompany you for decades and even be passed down to the next generation. It’s not just a stone—it’s a memory, a heritage. So treating your jade well is like cherishing your own heartfelt bond.